Aquabot:
Innovating Water Monitoring with Advanced Aquatic Drones
The Aquabot, a pioneering aquatic drone, represents a significant innovation in the water monitoring market. Developed through a collaboration between City of Glasgow College and Altitude Thinking, the Aquabot is designed to monitor water properties in large inland water bodies using an array of sensors.
An upgraded model, Aquabot 2.0 features several upgrades, including a more robust body, GPS-directed autopilot for extended range, and IoT connectivity. This allows near-live data transfer to a cloud platform where customers can access visualised results, making it a standout innovation in water monitoring. Equipped with a multi-parameter sensor, the drone can measure various water properties such as oxygen levels, pH, turbidity, and chemical or biological compounds. This adaptability offers a transformative approach to environmental monitoring in Scotland.
Led by Glasgow Caledonian University and City of Glasgow College alumnus Dale Colley, Altitude Thinking received over £40,000 for the development of the mark 1 drone and its subsequent prototype, Aquabot 2.0. This funding has facilitated continuous reviews, modifications, and the potential for future commercialisation. The project leverages extensive IoT expertise, with contributions from CENSIS, the Innovation Centre for Sensing, Imaging and Internet of Things (IoT), and Scottish Canals supporting the testing and enhancement of Aquabot 2.0.
Altitude Thinking has a long-term agreement to use the Aquabot, owned by the college, for demonstrations and initial commercial activities. Future funding may be pursued to continue advancing this innovative product.
Learn more about Altitude Thinking and The Aquabot here.
“Our college’s STEM and Innovation team has been supporting Dale Colley throughout all stages of the Aquabot’s development and it’s fantastic to see the second version now out on the water. We have greatly enjoyed and appreciated working in partnership with CENSIS, and having access to the engineering and IoT knowledge that helped take this project to the next level.
Linus Reichenbach, Project Manager for STEM and Innovation at City of Glasgow College“With its focus on sustainable water use that we believe will ultimately lead to a cleaner and safer environment, this project aligns with City of Glasgow College’s own ecological values. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Altitude Thinking, and supporting Dale with further developments and through initial commercial opportunities.”
Last Updated: Sept 2024
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